Vinyl pressings
by Sade · 1984
Smooth Operator was first pressed on vinyl in 1984. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
25 pressings came out in 1984, the album's first year, in 11 countries. Compare the label and catalog number on your copy, then the codes etched or stamped in the runout groove (the dead wax around the label): they are the surest sign of an early pressing.
TA̶X 4655 A1 3 A TimTom cbsRunout side A, variant 1
TA̶X 4655 B1 C TY ARunout side B, variant 1
TA̶X 4655 A1 1 A B TimTom cbsRunout side A, variant 2
TA̶X 4655 B1 TY ARunout side B, variant 2
A 4655-A2A-side runout, etched
A-4655.B-1B-side runout, etched
⋀B-side runout, stamped
A 4655 AA-side label
A-4655-A2Runout, A-side, etched
A-4655-B1Runout, B-side, etched
A-4655 A-1 timtom-cbs ⋀Side A runout
A-4655 B-1 DSide B runout
A 4655 ASide A label
A 4655 BSide B label
Not sure how to read the runout? See matrix numbers, runout and dead wax and how to tell a first pressing.
By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Australia | Epic ES 998First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | Australia | Epic ES 12123First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | Australia | Epic ES 998First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1984 | Australia | Epic ES 12123First year12", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 12", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1984 | Europe | Epic EPCA 12.4655 / Epic A 12.4655First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | Europe | Epic A4655 / Epic EPCA 4655First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | Europe | Epic EPC 663895 6First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | Germany | Epic EPC A 4655 / Epic A 4655First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1984 | Ireland | Epic EPCA 4655First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | Japan | Epic 12・3P-581First year12", Promo · Promo | 12", Promo · Promo |
| 1984 | New Zealand | Epic ES 998First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | New Zealand | Epic ES 12123First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | Portugal | Epic EPC A 4655 / Epic A4655First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | South Africa | Epic EN 5722First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | South Africa | Epic XEN 5723First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Stereo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1992 | Europe | Epic EPC 663895 612", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | US | Portrait AS 201312", 33 ⅓ RPM, Reissue, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Reissue, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | UK | Not On Label DJ 00112", White Label | 12", White Label |
42 vinyl pressings of Smooth Operator are listed here, from 17 countries, released between 1984 and 2005.
The earliest pressings are from 1984, in UK, US, Japan, Australia and more. One of them is Epic TX 4655, released August 28, 1984.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use TX 4655, A 4655, A4655, ES 12123) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, TA̶X 4655 A1 3 A TimTom cbs and TA̶X 4655 B1 C TY A. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.
It depends on which pressing you have and on the condition of the record and its sleeve. Early pressings from the album's home country in near mint condition are usually worth the most; common later reissues are worth far less. Scan your copy with VinylLens to see its value for every grade.
